Halton police use app to rescue 2 hikers lost in conservation area

Two lost hikers have been found safe after Halton police used an app to pinpoint the duo’s location.

Police say the hikers were on the trails at Kelso Conservation Area in Milton Saturday evening when they lost their way.

The pair called police and were directed to use the ‘what3words’ app. The app divides the world into three-metre squares and assigns each square a unique combination of three words called a ‘what3words address.’ This address gives callers a simple way to describe precisely where help is needed.

Canada – using what3words in an emergency #Help911FindYou from what3words on Vimeo.

Officers were able to pinpoint the location of the missing hikers and bring them out safely.

In a separate incident on Saturday, another group of hikers called police for help after becoming lost in the Hilton Falls Conservation Area. “Due to poor cellphone signal, they were not able to download the what3words app to aid in determining their location. The group was eventually located safely, with the assistance of the K9 Unit,” said police in a news release.

Halton police are encouraging residents to download the app to help officers respond quickly when every second counts.